The ritual I'm watching is set up for tourists, with a small entry fee going back into the community.

Those brave enough to dive request songs for the villagers to sing to encourage them to jump.

It's a fascinating spectacle but entertainment aside, land diving is serious business - it can cause death and paralysis.

The most important decision regards the vines each diver picks according to his weight, to tie to his ankles. The right choice can mean the difference between hitting your head on the ground or coming out of the experience unscathed.

It explains why some of the first-timers smack the earth when they hit the ground but more experienced men do not.

Although land divers are respected in their communities because they bring in tourist dollars it's not compulsory to take part.

Boys have to be at least 10 years old.

When divers reach about 30, they stop and let others take their place, says Jonas.

"Some of the men are very smart," he explains.

"They stand on the platform and they dance and then they jump,"

"It is a big tourist attraction because... you cannot find an event like this anywhere in the world. It's only in Vanuatu and only on Pentecost Island."

The land diving ritual today is in jungle, a short walk away from Pentecost's small airstrip, where seven-seat Cessnas arrive in convoy from Vanuatu's main island, Efate.

He looks nervous on one of the lowest platforms and prays to the blinding blue sky before launching bravely into the air.

But the vine attached to his ankles is too long and he's jolted, slamming face-first into the ground.

He lies limp in the dirt in shock and the crowd goes silent before he's helped to his feet by older men.

After a few seconds he shakes himself off and blends back into the chanting and clapping ni-Vanuatu.

And then we're all silenced once again as the next diver takes the plunge.

IF YOU GO

GETTING THERE: Pentecost Island is 190km north of Port Vila on Efate. Air Taxi Vanuatu offers a Pentecost and Epi Island tour, costing 44,000 Vatu per person ($534). For more, go to airtaxivanuatu.com.

For airport transfers and transport around Efate, check out Melanesian Tours, melanesiantours.com.

STAYING THERE: Breakas Beach Resort is an adults-only resort 10 minutes from Port Vila. It's popular with couples and has a great beachfront pool, bar and restaurant. Prices start at $287 per night (including breakfast) for the garden bungalow. For more, visit breakas.com.

Mangoes Resort is another adults-only resort in Port Vila, with room prices starting at $219 (low season) for a garden-view bungalow. For more, mangoesresort.com.

PLAYING THERE: Commercial land diving for tourists is held on Pentecost Island in April, May and June. For other activities in Vanuatu, check out vanuatu.travel.